AustLit

The 'Colonist' writes to refute the claims, reported by the Illustrated Sydney News, that rumours of Dr William Bland's deathbed conversion to Roman Catholicism were slanderous and wholly unfounded. The 'Colonist' contends that Bland did, in fact, receive a 'conditional baptism' as a Roman Catholic and that he was subsequently visited by members of the Roman Catholic clergy.

In a footnote to the letter, the News's editor admit's the use of the word 'slanderous' was wrong, but notes that the 'Colonist' gives 'no proofs or references to any one was present at the ordination to which he alludes'.